SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. _ Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush announced Tuesday he is transferring to UCF.
Wimbush is expected to compete with Darriel Mack Jr. for the starting job as back-to-back American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year McKenzie Milton recovers from a severe leg injury.
Wimbush posted the news on Instagram Tuesday after visiting the UCF campus during the weekend. The post read:
"The journey continues on ... A sincere thank you to Notre Dame for giving me endless opportunities on and off the field. Words truly can not describe what this incredible University and the PEOPLE mean to me and always will mean to me. I'm truly thankful. Can not say it enough.
"With that being said, I am excited to announce that UCF has granted me an awesome opportunity to play my last year of collegiate football for their great university. Thank you to Coach (Josh) Heupel, and ... (offensive coordinator Jeff) Lebby for this incredible opportunity. Looking forward to winning em all! #GoIrish #GoKnights"
Wimbush, who declared his intention to transfer from Notre Dame following the regular season, started 16 games for the Fighting Irish but was replaced three games into the 2018 season by Ian Book.
Wimbush passed for 719 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions this season while adding 256 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
During his career, he's completed just over 50 percent of his passes for 2,606 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He's also rushed for 1,156 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Wimbush reportedly planned to visit several schools before making a decision. The list included Penn State.
But Heupel impressed Wimbush's family.
"Coach (Josh) Heupel appears to be very confident in how he can coach Brandon," Wimbush's mother, Heather, told ESPN. "I like his approach and he certainly has proven success as both a quarterback coach and player."
Mack, who started three games for the Knights in Milton's absence, presumably will be the Knight's starter entering spring practice. The UCF quarterback group also includes Quadry Jones, Hayden Kingston and Dillon Gabriel, an early enrollee from Hawaii.
Wimbush wouldn't be the first Notre Dame quarterback to transfer to a school in the state of Florida.
Everett Golson (FSU, 2015) and Malik Zaire (Florida, 2017) were both graduate transfers who continued their college careers in the Sunshine State with mixed results.
